Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:23am on 26 Mar 2026,Thursday International
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif mocked US war objectives, saying reopening the Strait of Hormuz now a stated goal was unnecessary as it was open before conflict. The strait, carrying about one-fifth of global oil and LNG, has seen a 95% drop in shipping after Iran restricted access following US–Israel strikes. Around 120 daily transits fell sharply, with only 155 crossings between March 1 and 25. Meanwhile, Iran rejected a US ceasefire plan, offering its own proposal demanding sovereignty over Hormuz, reparations, and security guarantees. Fighting continues, with over 1,500 deaths in Iran and widespread displacement across the region. (PC: NDTV)
